AI is no longer just a buzzword – it is here to stay – reshaping industries, redefining roles, driving innovation and providing competitive advantage.
The latest McKinsey Global Survey on AI reveals that the use of AI – both gen AI as well as analytical AI continues to build momentum with bigger organizations, having at least $500 million in annual revenue, changing more quickly compared to smaller organizations.
Also, there is a rise in the use of gen AI with 71% saying that their organizations use gen AI in at least 1 business function, a 6% rise from early 2024 when it was 65%.
In fact, according to World Economic Forum, the next 5 years will see AI making rapid change in work; by 2030, 70% of the skills needed for most of the jobs would change.
Business school have taken note of the evolving industry demands and integrated AI into the business school education and learning experience with almost 78% of the graduate management education (GME) programs having done so in some way, according to GMAC 2024 Application Trends Survey.
According to GMAC prospective students survey 2025, globally, 46% candidates feel AI is essential to their ideal graduate management education (GME) curriculum in 2024, compared to 40 percent in 2023 and 29 percent in 2022.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how the top European business schools have been preparing students for a career in AI.
1. HEC Paris
HEC Paris, a reputed top-ranked MBA program with its campus in Jouy-en-Josas, France has included a specialization in deep tech & AI providing participants with the know-how of employing AI and next-generation computing to accelerate corporate development and transformation.
It also allows practical application of knowledge gained by solving business challenges in corporate projects for a 3-month period.
MBA Crystal Ball got in touch with HEC Paris to find out more on how AI is being integrated in different ways within the business school ecosystem.
How HEC Paris is integrating AI into its programs
Brad Harris, Professor and Associate Dean of MBA Programs
We’re working to integrate AI into all of our MBA programs, including the full-time MBA, the Executive MBA, and the TRIUM program. In the MBA program, for example, we’ve overhauled several classes, including those focused on analytics and statistics, to explicitly incorporate AI as a tool for making better, and often quicker, decisions.
We’ve also created a colloquia-style course whereby thought leaders and leading executives come work with our students to introduce tomorrow’s technology, today. These interactive formats allow our students to go beyond just reading about and playing with AI as a shortcut to mundane tasks, and instead give them a place to try out and gain some fluency into the technologies that will push the frontier of business in the future.
Our efforts also go far beyond creating a few new required courses. In both our MBA and EMBA programs, we have created specialization options that allow students to go deep on AI and other emergent technologies.
Some examples include students being able to work hand-in-hand with exciting AI-driven startups through the Creative Destruction Lab and our partnerships with Station F, going deep on the latest applications, practices, and innovations of AI in our “Deep Tech and AI” (MBA) or “Making AI Real” (EMBA) specializations, or even testing out strategies for how they might launch their own AI-related ventures in our Entrepreneurship (MBA) and “Test Your Startup” (EMBA) options.
Between the required courses and specialization options, students can leave HEC Paris with several hundred hours of classroom and hands-on AI experience – in other words, this isn’t something we’re taking lightly.
We have, and will continue to, design our curricula in a way that positions HEC Paris as a leader in the technology and business landscape. Even students who do not choose to specialize in an AI or a tech-related topic will leave our program with exposure to the latest innovations and a fluency in the language that will shape the next iteration of business.
Alas, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that for us, AI is only part of our offer, not THE offer. I like to say we go beyond artificial intelligence to help our students develop authentic intelligence. The tech is vital, for sure, but so are things like character, critical thinking, relationships, and resilience. We’re aiming to build leaders that will change the world here.
2. INSEAD
Another prestigious top-ranked global business school with campuses located across continents – in France and Singapore, INSEAD has also incorporated several data science and AI courses within its MBA curriculum.
These include AI Strategy for Startups and C-suites under marketing which would provide a complete perspective of value creation strategies in areas related to AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, robotics.
Other courses include Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Digital Entrepreneurship, Org2.0, Analytics for Responsible Management, ART: Analytics for Retail and Travel Decision Models, Data Science (and Machine Learning) for Business, Responsible AI among others.
Under INSEAD Open Programmes, the school offers several short duration executive education sessions with a range of topics to choose from under ‘Digital Transformation & AI’ offered either in-person across campuses or online.
3· London Business School (LBS)
Located in the global financial hub – the vibrant city of London – is LBS, a leading top-tier business school in Europe. It offers a range of electives with a choice of more than 100 to choose from, including AI options.
Under Management Science and Operations, you can choose Generative Artificial Intelligence and data science with R, while under marketing, you can opt for Applications of AI & ML in Business.
LBS has also launched a 11-month long MBA program for those who’ve earned a Masters in Management (MiM) three or more years ago. The foundational business courses have been redesigned to reflect the growing impact of AI across key functions such as strategy, marketing, and operations.
Students can opt for a concentration in Analytics, Digital Technology and AI covering topics ranging from predictive modeling to the strategic implications of automation.
4· ESMT Berlin
The Master in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (MAAI) is a 2 year long (24 months) program at the intersection of data, AI and business.
In addition to developing analytic and data-management skills, it also goes deeper into implementing AI tools along with an understanding the challenges involved.
It covers the latest software and automation tools. It also offers hands-on experience built into the curriculum on the latest AI and data management technologies.
You can customize your learning experience by choosing from over 35 electives as well as opt for core courses from the other 2 master programs.
In addition to the foundation courses, there are advanced electives that dive deeper into industries and applications like Analytics and AI for Healthcare Management, Machine Learning models in production and Advanced Optimization Models.
Also read: Artificial Intelligence Vs Machine Learning Vs Data Sciesnce Vs Deep learning
5· Imperial Business School
The MSc in Artificial Intelligence Applications and Innovation is a 1-year program offered jointly by Imperial Business School, Department of Computing, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Department of Mathematics.
In addition to AI fundamentals, practical skills in AI technologies, it also covers diverse AI applications and AI-driven business innovation across industries including finance, healthcare and robotics. It also includes working on a group project on AI Ventures and Ethics involving developing AI technologies and crafting business strategy.
Another interesting opportunity for students is the chance to present their AI ideas to top venture capitalists and innovation investors.
Careers in AI
AI has been transforming industries including high tech, banking, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, transportation and logistics, and many more. It is also becoming essential for business operations across key areas including accounting, finance, supply chain management, marketing and sales, creating a need for professionals who have the know-how of business as well as AI.
Post-MBA job roles in AI include that of AI strategy consultant, Chief AI officer, AI product manager, AI business development lead, Artificial Intelligence Vice President, Director AI & Machine Learning, Senior Solutions Architect – AI/ML.
What AI skills are employers looking for in MBA grads?
Jean-Amiel Jourdan, Senior Executive Director at HEC Talents provides some interesting insights on this:
“AI investments continue to rise, particularly in data science roles, creating strong hiring demand for MBAs with data-driven expertise. Major firms have resumed hiring, which indicates a positive shift in the tech employment landscape, with a positive effect in Europe, particularly in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Ireland”.
He adds “Investing in technical skills and relevant certifications can significantly enhance employability. Areas such as data analytics, sustainability, AI-driven business solutions, and financial modelling are increasingly sought after by employers across industries”.
Reach out to MBA Crystal Ball if you are aiming for any of these programs: info@mbacrystalball.com
Also read:
